The Cartographers’ Guild is a forum created by and for map makers and aficionados, a place where every aspect of cartography can be admired, examined, learned, and discussed. Our membership consists of professional designers and artists, hobbyists, and amateurs—all are welcome to join and participate in the quest for cartographic skill and knowledge.

Although we specialize in maps of fictional realms, as commonly used in both novels and games (both tabletop and role-playing), many Guild members are also proficient in historical and contemporary maps. Likewise, we specialize in computer-assisted cartography (such as with GIMP, Adobe apps, Campaign Cartographer, Dundjinni, etc.), although many members here also have interest in maps drafted by hand.

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***November/December 2011 Lite Challenge - Draw a Map by Hand***

This was a pretty popular request in the suggestions forum, so we thought we'd go with it this month. Bear in mind that some of the best maps the guild has ever had the honour of hosting have been hand drawn to a greater or lesser extent.

Your map can be of anything and at any scale, provided that it is drawn by hand on a physical medium (e.g. paper, cloth, bark, vellum etc) This means:

The entire piece, including the map, cartouche, neatlines, labelling etc must be hand drawn or hand written on a physical medium.

No 'touching up' on the computer afterwards.

Within the above restrictions you can use any media to draw/paint with (e.g. pencils, pens, inks, paints, pastels).

For the avoidance of doubt: Computer tablets/pens are *NOT* allowed.

Scan your map or take a digital photo of it to present it here!

This should be a fun competition! We hope that there will be lots of participation (and laughs along the way). We think this is going to be a liberating experience!